Party and Government to Promote 'Employment Equality Disclosure System'... Democratic Party Vows Swift Start to Legislative Discussions

Party-Government Consultation Held on July 15 Between Gender Equality Committee and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

The Democratic Party of Korea and the government have agreed to focus their efforts on advancing the "Employment Equality Disclosure System," a policy that mandates companies to publicly disclose the status of gender-based wage levels and employment conditions.

Members of the Democratic Party's National Assembly Gender Equality and Family Committee and Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Minkyeong reached this consensus following a party-government consultation held at the National Assembly on July 15.

Lee Sujin, a member of the Gender Equality and Family Committee for the Democratic Party, stated, "Starting with today's party-government consultation, we will review the core policy tasks and push for relevant legislation," adding, "In particular, we will promptly begin discussions on legislation to promote the Employment Equality Disclosure System."

Lee Sujin, Member of the National Assembly and Chair of the Democratic Party's Gender Equality and Family Policy Coordination Committee, and Won Minkyeong, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, are attending and conversing at the Democratic Party Gender Equality and Family Committee party-government consultation held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

After the consultation, Assemblywoman Lee explained, "The disclosure system was originally part of the Ministry of Labor's Equal Employment Act (the Act on Equal Employment and Work-Family Reconciliation for Men and Women). Even when it was under the Ministry of Labor, a bill was submitted specifying that this law should address it, but now the responsible department has shifted to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family." She continued, "As far as I know, the ministry had plans to introduce the system in the first half of 2026, but there have been delays. I received a response that the amendment will be completed by September of this year, with a three-month period to establish the enforcement decree, so that by March of next year, companies will be required to implement the disclosure system under this law."

It is reported that the party and government discussed a possible reduction in the age for juvenile criminal responsibility, an issue that was deliberated at the Cabinet meeting the previous day. Regarding this, Assemblywoman Lee noted, "There was a question from an Assembly member," but clarified, "This issue falls under criminal law and is not within the remit of this committee." She added, "Since the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plays a crucial role in youth and juvenile crime prevention, I expect this will be discussed in coordination and communication among the relevant ministries."

At the party-government consultation that day, Assemblywoman Lee said, "There were no specific discussions regarding the scope or other details relating to the adjustment of the juvenile criminal responsibility age."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.